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About AJWRB

WELCOME TO AJWRB!

Associated Jehovah’s Witnesses for Reform on Blood (now Advocates for Jehovah’s Witness Reform on Blood) and this web site (AJWRB.org) were established back in 1997 as the work of one dissident Jehovah’s Witnesses elder who was deeply troubled by the Watchtower Society’s policy on the use of blood and blood products and by Daniel Sydlik’s (A Watchtower Governing Body Member) complete disinterest in even discussing the issue. The original web site was called “New Light on Blood.”

In very short order this brother, known by the pseudonym “The Liberal Elder” (later abbreviated to “Lee Elder”) was joined by other elders and HLC members from the United States and South America as well as Jehovah’s Witnesses from well over thirty countries in calling for clear answers regarding the numerous contradictions that become apparent when one carefully examines the policy.

That was the birth of AJWRB in 1998.

The Associated Jehovah’s Witnesses for Reform on Blood began with the mission of educating Jehovah’s Witnesses regarding the many inconsistencies in the Watchtower’s blood policy so that they could truly make an informed choice about their medical treatment and that goal has never changed.

AJWRB has grown to be a diverse group of individuals including current and former members, non-believing family members, medical professionals, legal professionals, child advocates and interested members of the public. What we share in common is our sincere desire to see all Jehovah’s Witnesses be able to make informed, conscientious choices about their medical care without threat of controls or sanctions from either the Watchtower or local congregations.

This site is also an important resource for doctors looking for objective analysis of the Watchtower Society’s policy as well as tools and methods to better establish informed consent with their patients. Judges, lawyers, media and other interested parties will also find very useful and informative material available.

In 2015 we added an alternative reading of our name to better illustrate our expanded reach, objectives and direction.

This site is dedicated to the memory of the thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses (many of them children) who have died because of the Watchtower’s irrational policies on blood. It is our sincere hope that the toll in death and suffering can be lessened and one day stopped.

Lee Elder – Director of AJWRB

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The Advocates for Jehovah’s Witness Reform on Blood ( AKA Associated Jehovah’s Witnesses for Reform on Blood) welcome the stand taken by, and fully support Brett and Naghmeh King’s decision to allow blood transfusions for their son Ashya, should they be needed.

We acknowledge that these are dissident views not supported by the Watchtower Society, or Jehovah’s Witnesses as an organization. Taking such a position could lead to a judicial committee investigation on the charge of apostasy and result in their being disfellowshipped with the subsequent extreme shunning Jehovah’s Witnesses are well-known for practicing. Nonetheless, these parents clearly are prepared to put the needs of their child first despite the theological ramifications.

Other Jehovah’s Witness children have not been as fortunate. The cover of the May 22, 1994 Awake! Magazine features photos of 26 children with the caption, “Youths Who Put God First.” Inside the Watchtower publication proclaims: “In former times thousands of youths died for putting God first. They are still doing it, only today the drama is played out in hospitals and courtrooms, with blood transfusions the issue.”

Adherence to the blood doctrine has likely cost thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses their lives in medical situations where non-blood alternatives are either insufficient or simply do not exist.

Thankfully, as this case illustrates, the tide has turned among those called upon to support the policy with the lives of their children.

The 2014 Global Survey of Jehovah’s Witnesses shows shrinking support for this policy with only 19.42% of parents prepared to allow their child to die rather than have a blood transfusions as shown below.1

AJWRB has been informing and educating Jehovah’s Witnesses concerning the irrational aspects of the Watchtower Society’s blood policy since 1997. Though once a voice for a dissident minority, it seems there is now a growing number of Jehovah’s Witness parents who oppose this complex and controversial policy.

While details of this story are difficult to verify from press reports alone, it is noteworthy that the parents have publicly said that they will allow their child blood transfusions if medically necessary. This is despite the information disseminated by the Jehovah’s Witness leadership, who systematically demonize any use of blood that does not conform to their strange and evolving policy. The parents actions are also remarkable from the standpoint that Jehovah’s Witnesses have made it abundantly clear they will not tolerate dissent on this issue as shown in the experiences below.

Blood serum is the clear fluid that remains after the cellular components (red cells, white cells, platelets, clotting factors and fibrinogen are removed. It includes all proteins not used in the clotting process.

What follows is a collection of quotes from Watchtower Society literature. This information will help researchers understand the historical development of the Watchtower Society’s policy on blood serums and document the many changes in policy through the years.

What follows is a collection of quotes from Watchtower Society literature on the subject of albumin. Watchtower writers and representatives are fond of saying that they have “commented consistently” on albumin and other blood fractions. Their published statements clearly prove otherwise as you will see below. This information will help researchers understand the development of the blood doctrine, and document the many changes in policy through the years. Quotes are presented in chronological order. Our editorial comments are in red.

What follows is a collection of quotes from Watchtower Society literature.This information will help researchers understand the mindset that existed within the Watchtower Society regarding science and medicine at the time the blood doctrine was beginning to crystallize, and in the intervening years. Editorial comments are in red.

Thomas Edison, the inventor and electrician, of phonograph and telephone fame, has been experimenting with the new light “X-Rays.” and has succeeded in taking a photograph through oak eight inches thick. But, as suggested in our last issue, Theosophists and others are claiming the new discovery as a part of their deception outfit. The Scriptures forewarn us that Satan will bring to bear strong delusion in this our day. Thank God, they shall not deceive “the very elect.” Obedience, faithfulness to the end, is the condition upon which we may make our calling and election sure. In other words, if we are faithful to the Word and Spirit of the Lord, he will carry us through. – The Watchtower 03/01/1896 (Reprints p. 1942) (NOTE: Edison invented the phonograph, but the telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell.) Emphasis ours